Palestinians denounce shut down of TV channel by Israel

Palestinians denounced the shut down offices of a satellite TV channel in Ramallah Friday morning, after the Israeli security cabinet approved a package of deference measures that included media outlets it accused of "incitement."

Palestinian government spokesperson Yousef Al-Mahmoud said that targeting Palestine Today TV channel is "part of the aggressive occupation policy towards Palestinian media."

Al-Mahmoud accused Israel of increasingly inciting against state-run Palestinians TV and radio in the recent weeks.

"Incursions into areas under the Palestinian (National) Authority's control and attacking its sovereignty and media institution is a stark violation of basic human rights and international and humanitarian laws that have safeguarded freedom of speech," said Hanan Ashrawi, member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee.

Meanwhile, another Palestinian satellite channel said its broadcast through French (Youtel Sat) was stopped.

Al-Aqsa TV channel is closely linked to Islamic Jihad movement, considered terrorist by Israel.

Israeli military spokesperson said that Al-Aqsa channel is "integral part of Islamic Jihad movement and is considered illegal."

The Israeli security cabinet decided Thursday to close down Palestinian media outlets that are accused of incitement and taking faster steps against members of Palestinians who were killed during attacks in the past six months, including withdrawal of working and traders permits and demolishing their homes, according to the Israeli public radio.

Israeli forces shut down three local radio stations in Hebron last October and November and confiscated broadcast equipment, accusing them of incitement.

A recent wave of violent breakout between Palestinians and Israel since last October, killing over 190 Palestinians and 30 Israelis. Endit